5 Empowering Thoughts After The Ugliest Presidential Campaigns Ever

LIVE! The past is behind you – you cannot change it. Tomorrow isn’t promised – you don’t know what lies ahead. These statements were true before this presidential campaign and will be true for many more elections to come. Regardless of who sits in the White House, we each have ambitions, goals, dreams, and needs.

The drive to achieve then, must come from within us and not be dependent on one person or position.

1.) FOCUS ON THE NEED OF OUR COUNTRY AND THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION

As a people and a nation, we should be focused on taking steps to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to “live well” and “achieve success.” The focus should have been – and still should be – on preserving our country’s economical and environmental well-being, restoring our values, respecting our differences, and uniting to secure our homeland from those who seek to cause us harm through physical and cyber-based attacks.

2.) EDUCATE YOURSELVES SO YOU CAN INFLUENCE DIRECTION

We had a “say” in the election by having the opportunity to cast a vote for either candidate. Even if our desired candidate did not get the title as we had hoped, we still have a “say” in our country’s future.

But, to achieve this, we will need to stay engaged and press for positive change by educating ourselves on the issues and policies. We also need to toss aside our personal (selfish) desires by giving direction to those who work at all levels of government to influence the decisions that will set the course for the next four years, or even longer.

3.) WE STILL LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY

This country was not formed on the principles of dictatorship or monarchy. The United States of America is a democracy, which still means “of the people”, “by the people” and “for the people”. So, we should not be so dependent on ONE person! Of course leadership is important and of course, we all want a leader that we think represents our interests.

But, we have to just be real about it. One person will NOT have all the same interests and stance on the issues as everyone else. There will always be pockets of special interest groups and varying opinions on how to tackle issues as well as set policies and laws.

If we really believe that one person having the office of President, dictates the future for our entire population, then, we are saying that we are helpless and powerless as a people. And if that is what we are, the least of our worries should be – Who is the President of the United States of America?

4.) MAKE DIVERSITY A TRUE STRENGTH AND NOT AN ACHILLES HEEL

We are a nation that was built on diversity (whether everyone wants to admit it or not). When we look at inventions, inventors, creative, athletic, literary, philosophical, social, technical and medical contributions to the development of our country and the world, Americans of all races (colors and hues) are well represented.

Listen: social, racial, nationality, sexist and religious beliefs will always play a large role in our country’s presidential campaign and policy setting. There is no denying that. But, we all live here and we will continue to live here.

So if we are going to be real about it, the choices are 1)find common ground, or 2)fight each other in a war that never ends. Everytime one side thinks they are about to win the war, they lose a battle and the cycle continues.

Still, each of us has the ability to harness the power within our diversity and connect with one another to lay down our artillery and build bridges that are strong enough, wide enough, and long enough; to continue to develop tools and methods that can improve the human condition, economically, environmentally, and socially. Let us take the opportunity to reach out again and again and again…

And yes, we have to brace ourselves so that if we are rejected (sometimes we will be), when we extend our hand to another, we respond in a manner that is wise and patient, searching for new avenues to bring understanding or peacefully co-exist. Fighting among ourselves weakens our nation and leaves the door open for others to attack us and bind our country (all of us regardless of race, creed or color) in the same manner.

5.) L-I-V-E (continue the daily grind for inaction cannot get our COUNTRY to a place of VICTORY)

If we look back historically, there are just as many as this presidential campaign where we woke up the next morning disturbed and excited at who won. Yet, somehow, through it all, we are still standing – WE MADE IT! Life continued. Maybe everything wasn’t just as we had hoped, but all wasn’t lost.

But, hasn’t that been true whether your candidate was on the winning or the losing side? So, right now, some feel discouraged while others feel rejuvenated. It doesn’t matter what group you fell into. The sun came up and your day had to proceed as normal.

It’s not the time to feel discouraged or to disassociate from the issues of the day because your candidate lost the election. It’s also not the time to gloat and get too caught up in thinking you’re right or all-knowing because your candidate won. The presidential campaign comes every four years – it’s a never ending cycle. You will win some and you will lose some.

But, as a nation to always be on the winning side, it is imperative that we get involved and stay involved. Learn about the issues, the policies and the laws. Engage, network, connect and unite. Work to influence and enact change. Remember: when the election results are read, we are just getting started.

This is when your voice needs to be heard – louder than during the presidential campaign. And, since four years goes by you are right back at the starting line – make sure they hear you NOW!

For no matter what candidate you chose, the thing that never changes is that, “This Land is MY Land, this Land is YOUR Land!”

Jacqueline P. Walker has over 25 years of leadership experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Art (Psychology/ English/ Communication Arts). And, has completed extensive graduate coursework in Organizational and Technology Management as well as earned certification in Work Place Communications. In 2012, she self-published her first book of poetry, Mothers, Sisters & Friends. Her work honors women and enforces the importance of mentoring and bonding as motivational tools. In 2013, she released, Lyrics of My Reality: Reflections & Inspirations – a compilation of personal essays and poetry. This work aims to encourage readers through topics of hope, support & caring, love & relationship and the value of sisterhood.

Right that is the sentiment…move forward! We can harness our power if we work together. Sometimes we don’t like our leaders, but it’s not about liking them, it’s about getting what we need done. Thanks for your commentary and support.

Jackie Walker,
Thank you! This was a very different election season for a lot of reasons. For one, this was the first time that one of my children voted. As a result, the entire campaign/election process became teachable moments. Now that it is over, I couldn’t help but feel the “now what” effect. You have perfectly captured necessary information to help us MOVE FORWARD as individuals and as contributors to this country’s success AND you made it easy enough for everyone to understand. Please keep the information coming. We have a lot of work to do out here!